Jaime Castillo: District 28 face-off

Campaign aides for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and Democratic primary foe Ciro Rodriguez hashed out the final details today for their first major debate.

The debate, sponsored by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, will take place Monday at the Kelly Club at KellyUSA. (Note: The event venue has been changed.)

A consultant to Rodriguez won a coin flip, allowing the former congressman to give the opening statement at the hour-long event.

Rodriguez is trying to win back his congressional seat after losing it to Cuellar in a disputed election in 2004.

Cuellar will be allowed to speak last under the format.

The debate will be aired on tape delay at a future date by Time Warner Cable and also placed on its On Demand rotation.

Noticeably absent from today’s final negotiations was a representative from Victor Morales’ campaign. Morales, who is considered a longshot, is making his fourth bid for Congress in the Democratic primary.

Marcel Johnson, the chamber’s vice president of area business councils/small business, said a decision was made to limit the debate to the perceived front-runners.

“Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Cuellar represent the two leading candidates, so they were the only ones to whom we extended an invitation,” Johnson said.